Utilities giant takes a bite out of UK water market

Black and Veatch doubled the size of its UK water business this week when it bought the water division of British construction firm MJ Gleeson.

The company is expanding into the construction of water infrastructure such as reservoirs

As well as strengthening B&V's foothold in the UK water industry, the acquisition will allow the global utilities giant to expand its range of water services to include the construction of reservoirs and other infrastructure.

MJ Gleeson's expertise in the design and construction of multi-million-pound water and wastewater treatment works, pumping stations and reservoirs will allow B&V to provide a fuller service, said Dan McCarthy, president of the company's global water business:

"With these additional construction capabilities, Black & Veatch will now be a single-source provider of engineering design, process engineering and construction for UK water clients," he said.

"This is a new business model for the UK water industry that allows us to extend to all UK water clients our offer of a truly integrated, multi-disciplinary global workforce."

With an annual turnover of £200m MJ Gleeson's water business will more than double Black and Veatch's presence in the UK water industry, and raise the company's global revenue in the water sector up to the £530m mark.

Tony Collins, former managing director of MJ Gleeson's water division who has taken responsibility for Black & Veatch's expanded UK water business, said: "We can now offer total project delivery - from concept through commissioning - to our water, environment and energy clients or any part of that service that our clients may require."